Surgical Instrument with Preload Assembly

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion and a preload assembly is disclosed. The head portion is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The preload assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly and enables longitudinal movement of the shell assembly with respect to the elongated body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/648,692 filed Oct. 10, 2012, and the disclosure of theabove-identified application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical instrument forapplying surgical fasteners to body tissue. More particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to a surgical instrument suitable forperforming circular anastomosis and/or treatment to internal walls ofhollow tissue organs.

Background of Related Art

Anastomosis is the surgical joining of separate hollow organ sections.Typically, an anastomosis procedure follows surgery in which a diseasedor defective section of hollow tissue is removed and the remaining endsections are to be joined. Depending on the desired anastomosisprocedure, the end sections may be joined by either circular, end-to-endor side-to-side organ reconstruction methods.

In a circular anastomosis procedure, the two ends of the organ sectionsare joined by means of a stapling instrument which drives a circulararray of staples through the end section of each organ section andsimultaneously cores any tissue interior of the driven circular array ofstaples to free the tubular passage. Examples of instruments forperforming circular anastomosis of hollow organs are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,053,390, 5,588,579, 5,119,983, 5,005,749, 4,646,745,4,576,167, and 4,473,077, each of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference. Typically, these instruments include an elongatedshaft having a handle portion at a proximal end to actuate theinstrument and a staple holding component disposed at a distal end. Ananvil assembly including an anvil rod with attached anvil head ismounted to the distal end of the instrument adjacent the staple holdingcomponent. Opposed end portions of tissue of the hollow organ(s) to bestapled are clamped between the anvil head and the staple holdingcomponent. The clamped tissue is stapled by driving one or more staplesfrom the staple holding component so that the ends of the staples passthrough the tissue and are deformed by the anvil head. An annular knifeis concurrently advanced to core tissue within the hollow organ to freea tubular passage within the organ.

Besides anastomosis of hollow organs, surgical instruments forperforming circular anastomosis have been used to treat internalhemorrhoids in the rectum. Typically, during use of a circular staplinginstrument for hemorrhoid treatment, the anvil head and the stapleholding component of the surgical instrument are inserted through theanus and into the rectum with the anvil head and the staple holdingcomponent in an open or unapproximated position. Thereafter, apursestring suture is used to pull the internal hemorrhoidal tissuetowards the anvil rod. Next, the anvil head and the staple holdingcomponent are approximated to clamp the hemorrhoid tissue between theanvil head and the staple holding component. The stapling instrument isfired to remove the hemorrhoidal tissue and staple the cut tissue.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument comprising ahandle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from thehandle assembly, a head portion and a preload assembly. The head portionis disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion andincludes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly ismovable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced andapproximated positions. The preload assembly is disposed in mechanicalcooperation with the shell assembly and enables longitudinal movement ofthe shell assembly with respect to the elongated body portion.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly includes a biasing membercoaxially disposed about a portion of the elongated body portion.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly biases the shell assemblytoward the anvil assembly.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly enables proximal anddistal longitudinal movement of the shell assembly with respect to theelongated body portion.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly includes an outer tubedisposed concentrically around the elongated body portion and inmechanical cooperation with the shell assembly, and where the outer tubeis longitudinally translatable with respect to the elongated bodyportion. Here, it is envisioned that the preload assembly includes abiasing element disposed in contact with a proximal portion of the outertube. Here, it is envisioned that the preload assembly includes ahousing disposed around the biasing element and around a proximalportion of the outer tube. Here, it is further envisioned that thepreload assembly includes a retainer disposed in mechanical cooperationwith the housing and which is configured to limit the distal travel ofthe outer tube by preventing a proximal lip of the outer tube from beingtranslated distally therepast. It is further envisioned that the housingof the preload assembly is disposed in contact with the handle assembly.

The present disclosure also relates to a preload assembly for use with asurgical instrument including an elongated body portion and an anvilassembly that is longitudinally movable toward a shell assembly. Thepreload assembly comprises an outer tube disposed in mechanicalcooperation with the shell assembly, and a biasing member disposed inmechanical cooperation with the outer tube and configured to distallybias the outer tube toward the anvil assembly.

In disclosed embodiments, the biasing member enables proximal and distallongitudinal movement of the shell assembly with respect to theelongated body portion.

In disclosed embodiments, the outer tube is longitudinally translatablewith respect to the elongated body portion of the surgical instrument.

In disclosed embodiments, the biasing element is disposed in contactwith a proximal portion of the outer tube.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly further comprises ahousing disposed around the biasing element and around a proximalportion of the outer tube. Here, it is envisioned that the preloadassembly further comprises a retainer disposed in mechanical cooperationwith the housing. The retainer is configured to limit the distal travelof the outer tube by preventing a proximal lip of the outer tube frombeing translated distally therepast.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of performing a surgicalprocedure. The method comprises providing a surgical instrumentincluding a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extendingdistally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, ahead portion disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated bodyportion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, and apreload assembly. The preload assembly is disposed in mechanicalcooperation with the shell assembly and enables longitudinal movement ofthe shell assembly with respect to the elongated body portion. Themethod also includes positioning the surgical instrument adjacent asurgical site, moving the anvil assembly towards its approximatedposition, and ejecting fasteners from the shell assembly toward theanvil assembly.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly enables proximal anddistal longitudinal movement of the shell assembly with respect to theelongated body portion.

In disclosed embodiments, the preload assembly includes an outer tubedisposed concentrically around the elongated body portion and inmechanical cooperation with the shell assembly. The outer tube islongitudinally translatable with respect to the elongated body portion.Here, it is envisioned that the preload assembly includes a biasingelement disposed in contact with a proximal portion of the outer tube.It is further envisioned that the preload assembly includes a housingdisposed around the biasing element and around a proximal portion of theouter tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instrument aredisclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the presently disclosed surgicalinstrument illustrated in an open position, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, assembly view of a portion of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1, with some parts omitted;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a distal portion of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 1 shown in an open position within tissue;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a distal portion of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 1 shown in an approximated position within tissue; and

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion ofthe surgical instrument of FIG. 1 shown in an approximated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instrument and preloadassembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawingsin which like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingelements in each of the several views. Throughout this description, theterm “proximal” will refer to the portion of the instrument closer tothe operator and the term “distal” will refer to the portion of theinstrument farther from the operator.

FIG. 1 illustrates the presently disclosed surgical instrument showngenerally as 10. Briefly, surgical instrument 10 includes a handleassembly 12, an elongated body portion 14, and a head portion 16.Elongated body portion 14 defines a longitudinal axis “A.” Additionally,while not explicitly shown, the present disclosure also contemplates acurved elongated body portion. The length, shape and/or the diameter ofelongated body portion 14 and head portion 16 may also be varied to suita particular surgical procedure.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, handle assembly 12 includes astationary handle 18, a movable handle 20, a rotatable approximationknob 22 and a preload assembly 100. Head portion 16 includes an anvilassembly 30 and a shell assembly 31. Anvil assembly 30 is movable inrelation to shell assembly 31 between spaced and approximated positionsby rotation of approximation knob 22. Preload assembly 100 biases shellassembly 31 distally toward anvil assembly 30. Further details ofpreload assembly 100 are discussed below.

In operation, rotation of approximation knob 22 causes movement of anvilassembly 30 in relation to shell assembly 31 between a spaced position(FIGS. 1 and 5) and an approximated position (FIG. 6), as approximationknob 22 is mechanically engaged with an anvil retainer 38 (FIG. 1),which is fastened to anvil assembly 30. It is envisioned that rotationof approximation knob 22 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) causesproximal movement of anvil assembly 30, and rotation of approximationknob 22 in a second opposite direction (i.e., counter-clockwise) causesdistal movement of anvil assembly 30. Further details of the operationof approximation knob 22 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,403, whichwas filed on Aug. 25, 2009, the entire contents of which beingincorporated by reference herein.

With reference to FIGS. 2-7, further details of preload assembly 100 areillustrated. As shown, preload assembly 100 includes a biasing element110, a housing 120, an outer tube 130, and a retainer 140. Housing 120is disposed coaxially around a proximal portion of elongated bodyportion 14 and extends distally from handle assembly 12. It isenvisioned that housing 120 is in contact with handle assembly 12 and isfixed from longitudinal movement with respect to handle assembly 12. Itis further envisioned that housing 120 is integrally formed with handleassembly 12. Biasing element 110 (e.g., a compression spring, parallelwave spring, etc.) is coaxially positioned around elongated boy portion14 and is positioned within housing 120.

Outer tube 130 extends distally from housing 120 toward shell assembly31. More particularly, a proximal portion 132 of outer tube 130 isslidably disposed within housing 120 of preload assembly 100 and aboutelongated body portion 14; a distal portion 134 of outer tube 130 isaffixed to shell assembly 31. Further, proximal portion 132 includes alip 136 extending radially outward (i.e., away from the longitudinalaxis “A”).

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, retainer 140 is positioned inmechanical cooperation with housing 120 and extends radially inwardtherefrom. Specifically, it is envisioned that retainer 140 ispositionable within a slot 122 located in a distal portion 124 ofhousing. With particular reference to FIG. 4, retainer 140, and inparticular, the engagement between retainer 140 and lip 136, preventsouter tube 130 from moving distally beyond and out of housing 120.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated, biasing element 110 of preloadassembly 100 provides a distally biasing force which distally biasesouter tube 130, and thus distally biases shell assembly 31 toward anvilassembly 30. Additionally, as discussed below, preload assembly 100allows proximal movement of shell assembly 31 with respect to elongatedbody portion 14.

In use, when head portion 16 is in the open, unclamped position (FIG.5), preload assembly 100 distally biases shell assembly 31 toward anvilassembly, and toward tissue “T.” As can be appreciated, the springconstant of the biasing element 10 can be preselected (prior to assemblyof preload assembly 100) to provide the optimum clamping pressure for aparticular procedure. The distal pressure exerted against shell assembly31 by preload assembly 100 helps prevent “under clamping.” “Underclamping” may otherwise occur when anvil assembly 30 is not approximateda sufficient amount and/or when anvil assembly 30 and shell assembly 31relatively move toward the open position in response to attempting toclamp tissue that is too thick or in response to the force created whenfiring fasteners from shell assembly 31 toward anvil assembly 30. Insurgical devices that clamp up to a set distance between the anvil andcartridge assembly, over clamping or under clamping, in which theclamping forces are too high or too low, can occur. The preloaded springor other biasing device in the preload assembly applies a preselectedclamping force. An indicator can be provided, in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein, to show the movement of the shell, thereby indicatingwhether the reload selected is optimal for the tissue thickness. Thebiasing device can be a parallel wave spring, coil spring, bevel spring,or any other kind of spring.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, preload assembly 100 allows outer tube130 (and thus shell assembly 31) to move proximally with respect toelongated body portion 14. Proximal movement of shell assembly 31 andouter tube 130 occurs when head assembly 16 is in the approximatedposition and when the clamping pressure exerted by approximation knob 22causes the tissue “T” between anvil assembly 30 and shell assembly 31 tocompress. Compression of tissue “T” can also result during the ejectionof fasteners from shell assembly 31 toward anvil assembly 30. The amountof tissue compression that occurs (i.e., along longitudinal axis “A”)corresponds to the amount of proximal translation of outer tube 130against the bias of biasing element 110.

The proximal movement of shell assembly 31 with respect to elongatedbody portion 14, which is enabled by preload assembly 100, helps prevent“over clamping.” “Over clamping” may otherwise occur when anvil assembly30 and shell assembly 31 are fully approximated, and an additionalclamping force is provided (e.g., by continued actuation ofapproximation knob 22). Preload assembly 100 helps prevent “overclamping” by allowing shell assembly 31 to move away from anvil assembly30 (i.e., proximally) in situations where anvil assembly 30 and shellassembly 31 are fully approximated and an additional clamping force isprovided. Thus, preload assembly 100 helps prevent “under clamping” and“over clamping.”

Once head assembly 16 is sufficiently approximated, actuation of movablehandle 20 (i.e., pivoting in the direction of arrow “X” in FIG. 1),causes fasteners to be ejected from shell assembly 31 toward anvilassembly 30. That is, movable handle 20 is disposed in mechanicalcooperation with a pusher (not explicitly shown in the illustratedembodiments), such that actuation of movable handle 20 causesadvancement of the pusher into contact with the fasteners, which ejectsinto staple deforming pockets of anvil assembly 30.

The present disclosure also contemplates a tissue indicator 150 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). Tissue indicator 150 includes a window on housing 120which allows a user to see lip 136 of outer tube 130, and its amount oftravel (e.g., during approximation of head assembly 16). Tissueindicator 150 may include indicia (e.g., measurement lines andassociated numbers) to further facilitate determining the thickness,type, or amount of tissue being clamped or compressed. This informationmay be effective to help the user determine the optimal staple size forthe desired procedure.

Further details of other features of surgical instrument 10, such as theapproximation assembly, firing assembly, lock out mechanism and anadditional indicator mechanism are disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,168,604, 7,303,106, and 8,113,403, the entire contents of each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of performing a surgicalprocedure. The method includes providing a surgical instrument 10including a handle assembly 12, an elongated body portion 14 extendingdistally form handle assembly 12, a head portion 16 and a preloadassembly 100. Handle assembly 12 includes a stationary handle 18 and amovable handle 20, which is movable between a first non-actuatedposition and a second actuated position. Head portion 16 is disposedadjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion 14 and includes ananvil assembly 30 and a shell assembly 31. Anvil assembly 30 is movablein relation to shell assembly 31 between spaced and approximatedpositions. The method also includes positioning surgical instrument 10adjacent a surgical site, moving anvil assembly 30 toward itsapproximated position, and moving movable handle 20 through a firingstroke to eject fasteners from shell assembly 31 toward anvil assembly30.

It is also contemplated that the apparatus has a replaceable headincluding the cartridge assembly, anvil assembly and associatedmechanisms. The stapling apparatus 10 can include the manually actuatedhandle assembly of FIG. 1 and as described above, or can include apowered actuator assembly having first and second drive members. Forexample, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/946,082, filed Nov. 15,2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein, discloses a surgical device having a powered actuator assembly.Such actuator assembly can be powered by a motorized handle.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description shouldnot be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications ofdisclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly including astationary handle; an elongated body portion extending distally from thehandle assembly, being fixed from longitudinal movement with respect tothe stationary handle, and defining a longitudinal axis; a head portiondisposed adjacent and in contact with a distal end of the elongated bodyportion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, the anvilassembly being movable in relation to the shell assembly between spacedand approximated positions, wherein when the anvil assembly moves towardthe approximated position, the anvil assembly moves in a proximaldirection with respect to the elongated body portion; and a preloadassembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly, thepreload assembly enabling longitudinal movement of the shell assemblywith respect to the elongated body portion, the preload assemblyincluding a biasing member disposed concentrically around the elongatedbody portion.
 2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, whereinan entirety of the biasing member is coaxially disposed about a portionof the elongated body portion.
 3. The surgical instrument according toclaim 1, wherein the preload assembly biases the shell assembly towardthe anvil assembly.
 4. The surgical instrument according to claim 1,wherein the preload assembly enables proximal and distal longitudinalmovement of the shell assembly with respect to the elongated bodyportion.
 5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein thepreload assembly includes an outer tube, a majority of the outer tube isdisposed concentrically around and radially outward of the elongatedbody portion and in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly, theouter tube is longitudinally translatable with respect to the elongatedbody portion.
 6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, whereinthe biasing member is disposed in contact with a proximal portion of theouter tube and biases the outer tube distally with respect to theelongated body portion.
 7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6,wherein the preload assembly includes a housing, the housing is disposedconcentrically around the biasing member and concentrically around theproximal portion of the outer tube.
 8. The surgical instrument accordingto claim 7, wherein the preload assembly includes a retainer disposed inmechanical cooperation with the housing, the retainer configured tolimit distal travel of the outer tube by preventing a proximal lip ofthe outer tube from translating distally therepast.
 9. The surgicalinstrument according to claim 7, wherein the housing of the preloadassembly is disposed in contact with the handle assembly.
 10. Thesurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein a distal most end ofthe housing of the preload assembly is disposed proximally of a distalmost end of the elongated body portion.
 11. The surgical instrumentaccording to claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes a movablehandle.
 12. A preload assembly for use with a surgical instrumentincluding an elongated body portion and an anvil assembly that islongitudinally movable toward a shell assembly in response to proximalmovement of an anvil retainer with respect to the elongated body portionto capture tissue between the anvil assembly and the shell assembly,wherein when the anvil assembly longitudinally moves toward the shellassembly to capture tissue between the anvil assembly and the shellassembly, the anvil assembly moves in a proximal direction with respectto the elongated body portion, the preload assembly comprising: an outertube disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly; and abiasing member disposed concentrically around the elongated body portionand configured to distally bias the outer tube toward the anvilassembly, an entirety of the biasing member is coaxially disposed abouta portion of the elongated body portion.
 13. The preload assemblyaccording to claim 12, wherein the biasing member enables proximal anddistal longitudinal movement of the shell assembly with respect to theelongated body portion.
 14. The preload assembly according to claim 12,wherein the outer tube is longitudinally translatable with respect tothe elongated body portion of the surgical instrument.
 15. The preloadassembly according to claim 12, wherein the biasing member is disposedin contact with a proximal portion of the outer tube and biases theouter tube distally with respect to the elongated body portion.
 16. Thepreload assembly according to claim 12, further comprising a housingdisposed concentrically around the biasing member and concentricallyaround a proximal portion of the outer tube.
 17. The preload assemblyaccording to claim 16, further comprising a retainer disposed inmechanical cooperation with the housing, the retainer configured tolimit the distal travel of the outer tube by preventing a proximal lipof the outer tube from being translated distally therepast.
 18. Asurgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated bodyportion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining alongitudinal axis; a head portion disposed adjacent a distal end of theelongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shellassembly, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the shellassembly between spaced and approximated positions, wherein when theanvil assembly moves toward the approximated position, the anvilassembly moves in a proximal direction with respect to the elongatedbody portion; and a preload assembly disposed in contact with the handleassembly and in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly, thepreload assembly enabling longitudinal movement of the shell assemblywith respect to the elongated body portion, the preload assemblyincluding a biasing member disposed concentrically around the elongatedbody portion.
 19. The surgical instrument according to claim 18, whereinthe preload assembly includes a housing disposed concentrically aroundan entirety of the biasing member and in direct contact with the handleassembly.
 20. The surgical instrument according to claim 18, furthercomprising an anvil retainer coaxial with the elongated body portion,wherein movement of the anvil retainer with respect to the elongatedbody portion causes longitudinal movement of the anvil assembly withrespect to the shell assembly.